AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

A six hour dinner of potatoes and lettuce
the path away from despondency
(glory to you, O Lord, glory to You)

English peas on the salad our elegance
a fancied cigarette as our fingers brush
smiles glimpsed over box bordeaux
old jars of bonne maman for cups

Your nose aphrodite across the table
glories of your cheeks
I trace your profile in olive oil
(I am the sheep, the lost sheep)

Your eyes renew their vows when they look at me
husband brother true father's son
For a long time I waited for you
(tears for all woes a heart for every plea)

In this quiet we are consoled as one
broken like the bread we eat
Learning at last to be still
(abide, abide in me)